Lessons
Private lessons are available for Bass, Banjo, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Mandolin, Flute, Trumpet, Voice, and more. Lessons encompass technique, music theory, composition, improvisation, as well as practice, performance, and recording philosophies. All lessons are custom tailored for each student's goals and needs.
Lessons are available either online via video chat (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom) or in person for students in the California Central Valley area.
Testimonials
“Nick was great at pushing me past my comfort limit. When I started voice lessons, I was tone deaf and incredibly quiet. He helped me unlock my inner voice, both in terms of pitch and volume. I learned so many things under his tutelage that I never would have even considered. Thanks to his assistance, I was able to improve my piano playing and singing more than I ever thought possible.”
-Cat
“Nick is a superb music teacher. His breadth of knowledge and endless support are incomparable. As older students, we appreciate Nick’s patience and encouragement. He has inspired us to explore our creativity through song writing and performing. Nick’s true love of music is infectious. We sincerely enjoy the learning and laughter and life lessons we share each week! Oh yes, and we love that we now can play the ukulele.”
- Kett and Debbie
"Nick DeArmon has been my teacher for about 3 years and he has pushed me to grow a lot as a musician. When I started taking lessons from Nick I was ok at guitar but I didn’t do much else. In the past 3 years Nick has pushed me to sing, write my own music, and record and master it all. He let me learn my own creative process but also helped me wherever I needed it and took me through all the steps learning to make my own music. I never thought I would go this far into music and I have Nick to thank for that."
- Henry "Hank" Masellis
“I am an adult student who has returned to playing music after a long 10-year break. Nick has been great in teaching both practical fundamentals and theory, things that I never properly learned. I now have an understanding of what to do as well as why it is done. As a person with multiple jobs and family responsibilities, time is precious and the remote learning option works very well.
If you are looking to ‘coast’ along with an instructor who will simply sit back and teach you to quickly play your favorite songs without the proper fundamental/theoretical knowledge then Nick will not be a good fit.
If, however, you want to understand how the bread is baked by building a catalog of useful skills and knowledge to ascend above/beyond what is taught in a book then Nick is your guy. He is great at analyzing where you are in your own journey, pinpointing challenges, improvements and working together with you to come up with solutions to transcend roadblocks.
As with most things in life, self-motivation is critical and a key component to getting the most out of lessons with Nick.”
-Ben
Student Corner
Ukulele student Eve's first full performance from memory of a traditional American folk song (from our ukulele workbook).
This 3 song EP features vocal, guitar, and composition student Henry Masellis, drum student Connor Welch, and Keyboard/Piano student Ben Guzman. Cowritten by Henry and Nick, the EP was produced and recorded by Nick in part at his own home studio as well as using guerrila recording techniques on site at the students' homes as necessary. It also features Nick on bass and some extra guitar, and Chuk DeArmon on the guitar solo on, "Starstruck".
Vocal, guitar, and composition student Henry records takes for his song, "Adrenaline".
Piano student Triston’s first full performance from memory of a worship song, “Called to Serve”.
Links, Gear, Resources
Worksheets, scales, recommended instruments and related gear, and other information for current students.